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NMWE is a unique initiative addressing opportunity, recruitment and retention for women in journalism. It fosters and spotlights the creativity, ingenuity and entrepreneurial abilities of women in media.

The awards program ended in 2013 following six years of generous support from the McCormick Foundation. We are currently seeking other funding sources.

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Angel Investor’s $400,000 Gives NMWE-Funded ChickRx.com A Boost

For more information, contact:
Jan Shaffer or Andrew Pergam 202-885-8100

WASHINGTON, D.C. - ChickRx.com, a health news for 20-something women awarded $10,000 in startup funding last year, launched today, buoyed by an additional $400,000 in angel investing, announced J-Lab: The Institute for Interactive Journalism, which administers the awards for women media entrepreneurs.

The site offers health news for 20-something women with a humorous bent. Co-founders Stacey Borden and Meghan Muntean, both 26, noticed a void in the market. In a press release, Borden wrote: “We were frustrated that while there were comprehensive health sites for women of all ages, there was nothing that specifically catered to and understood us—20-something women off on our own, full of health-related concerns and curiosities.”

ChickRx was one of three 2009 winners of the McCormick New Media Women Entrepreneurs initiative, which provided $10,000 awards for women seeking to launch a news or information project. J-Lab at American University administers the program with funding from the McCormick Foundation in Chicago.

“We are thrilled to have helped birth ChickRx,” said Jan Schaffer, J-Lab director. “It’s a case study in how savvy women with a sharp idea can achieve their dream.”

The two invested their personal savings in what they describe as a “DailyCandy-meets-WebMD type of resource”. The site’s tagline - Who says an expert health site has to be boring? - is supported by articles such as “IBS: It Beats Syphilis” and “Holy Moley”. The most-viewed stories the first morning included sex and relationship-related items “Speed Demon” and “Cool Guy Syndrome”. There is also a Celeb Rx section, an interactive quiz and Chick Picks, where today they suggest hangover helpers.